anyone know how to troubleshoot a wah pedal?

[Jason01]

I've got a crybaby from hell that stopped wahing. The lights all still work like normal but it doesn't do anything soundwise. Anyone got any tips for me to try to figure this thing out?

[whiskeyzulu]

are you getting a solid click on the on/off switch and do you have normal sound in bypass? if not, carefully check first your instrument/patch cables on both ends (yes, it could be as simple as that - don't ask how I know ) and input/output jacks for continuity and if you do have sound in bypass, after a visual inspection of the guts for anything obviously loose, check the switch and pot with a Vom meter - if its the switch consider replacing w/ a 3dpt true bypass switch - if neither are the culprit check to see that the battery/DC supply is getting through to the PCB - good luck.

[velorush]

WZ's right: before assuming it's some component in the circuit, check the simple stuff first (connections, battery, etc.). I had a similar problem with mine that cropped up after installing a true bypass switch. I kept soldering and resoldering the switch but could get it to work only intermittently. Rather than the switch, it wound up being a broken trace on the PC board (it's really old). I created a solder jumper across the break and it's held up fine (well, now the pot's gone bad, but that's another thread...).

[Jason01]

The switch clicks but there is no change in the sound, its like the wah is on permanent bypass mode no matter what I do.

[Jason01]

Ok, I tried it again and I think I had things plugged in wrong the first time. Now when I try it I get no sound when the wah is engaged and normal sound when its bypassed.

[whiskeyzulu]

Ok, I tried it again and I think I had things plugged in wrong the first time. Now when I try it I get no sound when the wah is engaged and normal sound when its bypassed.

Every wah I've had guitar plugs in on right side of unit, typically marked, "instrument" and line out to amplifier on left side - from perspective of looking at unit in front of you on floor. However, apparently this wah "features an input jack on one side and an output jack on the other side. Darrell wanted to make it easier to just be able to plug in and play, without having to loop a cord around the pedal that could have a tendency to get stuck. The Dime Crybaby features a second output jack on the left-hand side, so you can just go in and out of one end."

It also has an internal switch for second output jack function - here's what the manual says, I'd check to make sure that that switch is set correctly.

Switchable Output Jacks

The Dime Crybaby® gives the user the ability to switch the input/out- put configuration for signal routing convenience. The two jacks on the left hand side of the pedal can be configured as two effect out- puts, with the right hand side jack as the input. In this configuration, both left hand side jacks will be switched to bypass/effect alternatively when the toe switch is depressed. This is accomplished when the small slide switch, JP2, on the internal PC board is put in the position closest to the toe of the pedal. When this switch is placed in the alternate position, closest to the heel of the pedal, both the right hand side jack (input) and the left hand side jack closest to the heel of the pedal, are hard wire connected together and are not switched. This is like a signal pass through configuration, and the jack on the left hand side can then be used as an input and the adjacent jack (left jack closest to the toe of the pedal) as the output.

If thats not it then, again, you should check the switch for continuity and visually inspect the guts - its quite likely that its a simple fix, but if you don't know how or are uncomfortable poking around (disconnect power first!!) send it back to dunlop - if its under warranty they are really good about making repairs. Also, if your using a battery make sure its fresh anything less than 7v and the effect won't work, but pwr led may still light.

[Jason01]

Still no luck, I followed the instructions about the switchable inputs and flipped the internal switch and tried both cables on the one side and its the same problem, when I engage the wah the signal cuts out completely. Its not a battery issue, I'm running it off a power supply.